What's known in the literature as "ethnic enclaves" offer economist's valuable microsystems of economic activity. With intellectual and financial backing from the Mercatus Centre I will be undertaking research in Liverpool's Chinatown, this summer.
The Global Prosperity Initiative has previously funded studies in Romania, Prague and the Philpines, but the pressing political repurcussions of immigration, and the economic insights to be gained from bounded groups cut off from wider society, have allowed me the chance to 'work from home'.
My general thesis is that whilst levels of prosperity among immigrant groups are explained by cooperation, this belies a foundation of competitive pressure. As John Maynard Smith (who recently passed away) roughly said "it appears to be altruistic, but the genes are acting selfishly."
The project is still being refined, so all comments are encouraged. Whether they're from the perspective of economic theory, or the specific case of Liverpool, I welcome support in this venture.
In case you didn't believe me...
http://www.mercatus.org/globalprosperity/article.php/701.html?menuid=3
Posted by: AJE | May 04, 2004 at 07:45 PM
I like the summary, but I wish you had mentioned all the political hullabaloo that surrounds the issue. That needs to be addressed.
Posted by: Nick Schandler | May 05, 2004 at 03:20 AM